The Holiest Place
It is said in the name of Rav Meir Abuchatzeira of Ashdod that the holiest place where tefillos are answered is the tziun of the Ohr HaChaim HaKodosh. Some even say that the main reason Rav Yaakov Abuchatzeira traveled to Eretz Yisrael was to daven at the tziun of the Ohr HaChaim HaKodosh. (Toldos Ohr HaChaim introduction)
Specializing in Peshat
I should point out that the commentary of the Ohr HaChaim is one of those specific commentaries that through Hashgocha Protis (Divine Providence) was printed together with the Chumash like the commentary of Rashi. It is therefore more connected to the simple, plain meaning (peshat) of the text more than other commentaries that were printed on their own. (Toras Menachem by Rebbe Menachem Mendel Schneerson of Lubavitch)
Every Time a New Taste
Rav Moshe Weiss was a Chassid affectionately known as Reb Moshe Batlan (because he was always learning and botel from work). He was an expert in the Ohr HaChaim and was always studying it. He was so attached to the Ohr HaChaim that he knew it by heart and would often quote it verbatim. He would also teach from it, often adding his own comments and novel insights. When asked why he did not gather his comments and print them as a commentary to the Ohr HaChaim, he answered, “What can I do? Every time I learn the sefer Ohr HaChaim HaKodosh I find a new flavor; the explanations are fresh and different each time as well! The sefer Ohr HaChaim can be studied in the manner of Pardes – Peshat, Remez, Derush and Sod, simple straightforward meaning, hints and allusions, sermons and exegesis and the secrets of Kabbola. So why should I write a sefer when next time I study the sefer I will understand it in a whole new and different manner, and taste in it a brand new ta’am?!” (Ner HaMaaravi 429)
